Phil Luciano: Neighborhood association fires first volley at Bradley students

Friday

Sep 26, 2008 at 12:01 AMSep 26, 2008 at 2:57 AM

The burgeoning Greek Row war between permanent residents and Bradley University students first sparked a few weeks back when the Moss-Bradley Residential Association fired the first volley.

Phil Luciano

The burgeoning Greek Row war between permanent residents and Bradley University students first sparked a few weeks back when the Moss-Bradley Residential Association fired the first volley.

At least, that’s the feeling of some fuming students and parents. They’ve been pelting the school with complaints over what they feel was a strong-arm attempt at intimidation via a pamphlet distributed by the association just after school started.

“It was a shot across the bow,” says an irate father of a student who belongs to a BU frat. “It said, ‘Hey, we’re looking for you.’”

The cover page of the four-page, computer-paper pamphlet reads, “Welcome to the Moss-Bradley Neighborhood” and “Helpful information and expectation for our residents.”

The introduction says, “We expect that everyone who makes their home in the Moss-Bradley neighborhood will value the quality of life.” The brochure acknowledges that all sorts of people — “students, working professionals, retirees” — live in the area. But some of the recipients believe the brochures target students, specifically Greeks.

“They feel intimidated,” the father says. “Many feel offended.”

They appreciate some of the concerns discussed in the pamphlet, such as problems of underage drinking and littering. But they feel the warnings are strident.

For instance, there is this dart: “Red plastic cups or similar containers will be presumed to be disguising alcohol by underage drinkers. These activities will be reported to the Peoria Police Department.” Further, another line barks, “The presence of a beer keg at a student party indicates underage drinking and excessive consumption. We ... Immediately will report such suspected activities to the Peoria Police Department and Bradley University officials.”

The BU father thinks it’s ludicrous to threaten to call the cops over the mere presence of a cup or keg, without any proof of illegal activity.

“This is really over the top,” he says.

Seen as perhaps most draconian are warnings of videotaping: “Special neighborhood teams may provide surveillance of cars and persons suspected of drug abuse or illegal possession and distribution.” Another section, regarding overcrowded apartments, cautions, “Neighbors have been instructed to keep records of names, auto makes and models, license numbers and even photographs of tenants.”

Other sections get picky. One admonishes the use of cabs that might honk their horns. Another urges students not to play sports in the street, as such activities are “dangerous and can damage personal property.”

Bradley had nothing to do with the pamphlet. A spokesperson declined to comment about it.

My calls to officers with the residential association went unreturned.

Look, I’m not suggesting that permanent residents don’t have legitimate beefs about some students. But if the residential association wants students to behave better, it might want to tone down a message that essentially says, “Welcome to the neighborhood. We hate your guts.”